James Russell Bagwell, a pillar of Cherokee County and successful businessman, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, at his residence. He was 83 years old.

A native of Cherokee County, James was born in Canton, Georgia on May 2, 1941, to Russell and Claudine Bagwell. After graduating from Cherokee High School, James pursued his bachelor's degree from The University of Georgia. This was the beginning of a life full of opportunity and success.

The businessman in James surfaced in 1963 when he became the owner of NAPA Auto Parts in Canton. During his ownership, James decided to take the realtor's test and became a licensed realtor. This led to his being a partner in A.R. Roberts Co. Realty in 1973, where he was the top-producing associate broker and partner until A.R. Roberts' death in 1999. James purchased the company in 2000 and changed the name to First Cherokee Realty in Honor of his business partner and friend, as well as his beloved Cherokee County. Having had much success in the realty industry, James served as the third president of the Cherokee Association of Realtors. He was also a member of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

James was well-known and loved in Cherokee county. He helped so many families achieve their dreams of owning a home, listing and successfully selling homes in Bartow, Forsyth, Pickens, and Cherokee county. There were two churches that he loved faithfully; First Baptist Church Canton where he was a member, and Chalcedonia Baptist Church, where he attended. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

James is survived by his son, Stephen Bagwell of Canton, Georgia; daughter, Jennifer Major of Acworth, Georgia; grandchildren, Hannah Hemphill, Rachel Olea, Megan Major, and John Russell Bagwell; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Patsy Day of Ball Ground, Georgia.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, and on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Funeral services in honor and celebration of James' life will follow Thursday's visitation at 1:00pm in the chapel of Darby Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park. Dr. George Anderson, Rev. John Lay, and Rev. Rodney King will officiate.

Flowers will be accepted, or the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in James' memory.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bagwell family.

The Funeral Service will be live-streamed at;
https://vimeo.com/event/4525592